We help you build a fantasy XI for the second ODI in Manchester (5:42)
England v Australia, second ODI, Old Trafford
Our XI: Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Woakes, Josh Hazlewood, Jofra Archer, Mitchell Starc
Substitutes: Steven Smith Jason Roy, Adam Zampa, David Warner, Mark Wood
NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about a late injury (or other relevant updates), so keep an eye on team news at the toss before making your final picks.
Captain: Jos Buttler
Buttler failed in the first ODI, but given the summer he’s been having, we would back him to succeed. And a successful Buttler can be devastating, both for the opposition and for the fantasy team that doesn’t have him. As a general rule too, picking multi-skilled players to captain – Buttler keeps, of course – is always good practice because they can get you points in two disciplines.
Vice-captain: Josh Hazlewood
You have to have Hazlewood after the way he bowled in the first ODI, which was at the same venue of course. Hazlewood completely broke the back of England’s chase not just with early wickets but with an economy rate that belongs in Test cricket.
Hot picks
Mitchell Starc: He didn’t have a very successful outing in the first ODI but Starc is one of the greats of the one-day format. He’s also someone who relies on rhythm more and, by that logic, could get progressively more deadly. The thing with Starc is, he can turn a game around in one spell, and you need him in your XI for that spell. Just make sure he’s good to go fitness wise before you lock him in – he had shown some discomfort in his groin in the first ODI.
Glenn Maxwell: He’s the man in form, and is coming off an astonishing innings in the first ODI. He would have probably been vying with Hazlewood for the Player-of-the-Match award, having not just produced a knock of 77, but done it at almost eight runs an over and with Australia in trouble. Plus, he’s likely to bowl a few overs too.
Jofra Archer: He’s been particularly effective with the white ball, and seems to deliver in every single match. The ball to David Warner was a corker, and Archer ended up with three wickets in the game, including that of Maxwell. A must-pick.
Value picks
Marnus Labuschagne: He got a start in the first ODI but didn’t go on to a bigger score. There is little doubt about his potential though. A well-organised player with a range of strokes, batting up the order, and with handy wristspin in the package should he be needed with the ball.
Sam Billings: He’s certain to be picked in the XI after that superb century in the first ODI. Billings has quietly gone from strength to strength in recent times, and taken his batting up a notch.
Point to note
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Steven Smith was injured and didn’t play the first ODI. If he is fit, you should definitely consider him in the XI. For now, we’ve kept him out of the XI and in the substitutes since his status is unclear.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo